as evident from issue 4 in the case study, Neo told a 'white lie' to the man in the grey suit while he was trespassing in the supplier tender room. a while lie is generally considered to be an unimportant lie that is told for the purpose of either being tactful , or polite. Neo was tactful with telling of this lie, because it not got him out of potential trouble, but he could also get away with the knowledge he had about possible tender irregularities.
Required: using the first practical imperative of deontological ethics, discuss whether the lie Neo told could be considered ethical
The first practical imperative of deontological ethics, as proposed by Immanuel Kant, states that individuals should act according to principles that could be universalized. In other words, an action is considered ethical if it could be applied as a universal law without leading to contradictions or inconsistencies.
In the case of Neo telling a white lie to the man in the grey suit while trespassing in the supplier tender room, we must analyze whether this action could be universalized. If everyone were to tell white lies in similar situations in order to avoid potential consequences or gain advantage, this could lead to a breakdown of trust and integrity in society. It could also create a culture of deceit and dishonesty.
Furthermore, lying, even if it is perceived as minor or harmless, goes against the principle of honesty and integrity, which are fundamental values in ethical decision-making. By lying, Neo is not respecting the autonomy and rights of the man in the grey suit to know the truth.
Therefore, from a deontological perspective, the lie Neo told cannot be considered ethical as it does not pass the test of universalizability and goes against the fundamental principle of honesty. Neo could have chosen to be honest and upfront about his presence in the tender room, which would have been a more ethical course of action.